The Rev. Thomas White returned as pastor of St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church after five months of administrative leave during the investigation.

White said he was elated at the news and has forgiven his accuser. On Monday evening, he celebrated a thanksgiving Mass, his first at St. Daniel's since October.

"I thank God for all my people and all their prayers," White said. "I know that somewhere, at sometime along the line, I will be able to recognize how this all fits into my life."

James Tibor, 35, of Aurora withdrew his lawsuit in Will County circuit court, saying he never had any physical contact with White and never was alone with him.

In October, Tibor accused the priest of sexually abusing him 24 years ago at St. Luke's parish in Carol Stream. At the time, Tibor said reports of priests abusing children had brought suppressed memories to the surface.

"Upon further reflection, he has come to doubt whether the events in the lawsuit ever occurred," said Tibor's attorney, Michael Bolos of Joliet.

In a written statement filed Monday, Tibor acknowledged his only contact with White was as a member of the general congregation during church services. All parties in the lawsuit dropped any possible claim on each other, Bolos said.

John Cullen, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, said Tibor's case began to unravel after officials learned Tibor had a criminal record, including a fraud conviction.

Bolos confirmed Tibor was found guilty last year in a bad check case involving more than $200,000.

White said the most difficult part of the past five months was his forced absence from his parish, including Sunday Mass and other celebrations.

To keep in practice, each week he prepared a homily based on scripture readings. On Sunday, White was studying the Gospel story of the Prodigal Son, in which a father lavishly welcomes home a son who has squandered his inheritance on wild living.

The parable's message of forgiveness is clear. Until then, White said, he hadn't really forgiven Tibor, who had been expected to withdraw the lawsuit weeks earlier.

"Maybe it was just the Lord saying it's time to let go," White said. "It just hit me yesterday: 'I forgive you.' That's it."

White said he hopes the case will encourage people to grant priests the same presumption of innocence given those accused of other wrongdoing.

Bishop Joseph Imesch, who was named as a co-defendant in the suit, said in a statement Monday he is happy White was vindicated.

"The accusation caused a great deal of pain and suffering for Fr. White and great consternation and turmoil in his parish," Imesch said. "I am committed to help victims of abuse but deplore those who make false allegations."